“Extreme Heat Threatens Workers Across the Country: What You Need to Know”
In Phoenix, Arizona, airport workers are demanding protections against extreme heat as they face the risk of on-the-job illness, injury, or even death. This summer, workers across the country are grappling with the effects of extreme heat, with more people dying from heat-related causes each year than from hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes combined.
July 2023 was recorded as the hottest month ever, and above-average heat is predicted to continue throughout the summer in the United States. Last month, over 100 million people in 27 states were under heat alerts, highlighting the widespread impact of extreme heat events. Even in traditionally cooler states like Maine, record-breaking high temperatures were observed in June, underscoring the severity of the heatwave.
Shockingly, there is no federal standard in place to protect workers in the U.S. from extreme heat. The Biden administration has proposed a federal heat standard that could significantly improve conditions for millions of workers. Heat-related illnesses, injuries, and the exacerbation of preexisting conditions are common among workers exposed to extreme heat, leading to serious health consequences and economic losses.
Workers most at risk from extreme heat are often low-wage earners, people of color, and immigrants, who have limited resources for protection. Without a federal standard, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is limited in its ability to enforce protections for workers exposed to dangerous levels of heat.
While some states like California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington have heat protection standards in place, others like Texas and Florida have moved to block local heat protections for outdoor workers. The Biden administration has taken critical action to protect workers from extreme heat by conducting workplace inspections, developing a heat standard, and issuing a heat hazard alert to remind employers of their legal responsibilities.
The proposed federal heat standard would offer protections for approximately 36 million workers and require employers to implement heat-illness prevention plans, training, worksite monitoring, and preventive measures like water, shade, and paid breaks. The public comment period for the proposed standard is now open, signaling a significant effort to expedite the rulemaking process.
As extreme heat events become more frequent and severe due to climate change, it is crucial to prioritize the protection of workers from heat-related hazards. Implementing federal heat standards is essential to safeguarding the workforce, especially those most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat. The time to act is now to ensure the safety and well-being of workers across the country.